Alberta Independence Plan Proposes President, Elected Judges and 10% Tax

A prominent Alberta separatist organization has released a 54 page discussion paper outlining what an independent Alberta could look like, proposing a political system that would differ significantly from Canada’s current parliamentary model.

The document, titled “Foundation of Freedom,” was released by the Alberta Prosperity Project, one of several groups supporting Alberta independence. The organization has also been involved in the Stay Free Alberta campaign and is seeking public feedback on its proposals.

The document is not being presented as a final constitution. Instead, Alberta Prosperity Project chief executive Mitch Sylvestre described it as a starting point for discussion about how the province could be governed if Albertans eventually chose independence.

The proposals include a president and vice president, elected judges, an elected senate, a new oversight branch of government, lower taxation and expanded firearm rights.

The proposed political structure would look considerably different from Canada’s existing parliamentary system and contains several elements more commonly associated with the political structure of the United States.

Proposed President and Four Branches of Government

Under the proposed framework, an independent Alberta would have a president, vice president and ministers forming the executive branch.

The legislative branch would include a senate made up of 40 elected senators representing 20 senatorial districts. The districts would be based on municipal districts and special areas.

Unlike Canada’s appointed Senate, the proposed Alberta senate would be elected directly.

The document also proposes creating a fourth branch of government known as the oversight branch.

This branch would be responsible for functions including audits, investigations and enforcement. It would include elected officials such as an inspector general, auditor general, solicitor general, elector general and attorney general.

The judicial system would consist of three levels of courts: community courts, regional courts and a supreme court.

Another significant proposal is that judges would be elected rather than appointed.

The document also suggests distributing major government institutions across different Alberta communities.

The proposed legislative assembly would be located in Edmonton, while Calgary would become the centre of the executive branch. Red Deer would host the senate, while the oversight branch would operate from Medicine Hat and Lloydminster.

The proposed Supreme Court would be located in Grande Prairie.

Sylvestre acknowledged that not every element of the proposed structure necessarily represents his personal preference, saying Albertans would ultimately have to decide how an independent province should organize its institutions.

Proposed Tax System

The discussion paper also outlines a significantly different approach to taxation.

It proposes an income tax of up to 10 per cent for Alberta residents and a consumption tax of up to 10 per cent on the net purchase value of goods and services.

The document presents lower taxation as part of a broader effort to limit the size and influence of government.

Supporters of the proposal argue that a smaller government and stronger individual rights should form the foundation of an independent Alberta.

However, critics have questioned whether the proposed tax system would generate enough revenue to maintain public services and government operations currently supported through the existing Canadian and Alberta systems.

The financial implications of independence remain one of the central questions in Alberta’s separation debate.

Firearm Rights and Individual Freedoms

The proposed constitution also contains provisions dealing with individual rights and personal freedoms.

One of the most notable proposals would give law abiding citizens the right to carry firearms openly or concealed for self defence and lawful purposes.

The document also states that citizens should not be discriminated against on the basis of medical choice.

English would be designated as the sole official language under the proposed framework.

The document further suggests that citizens of an independent Alberta would receive passports without charge.

These proposals reflect the strong emphasis the document places on individual rights and limiting government authority.

Supporters say the approach would provide stronger constitutional protections for individuals, while critics argue that the framework gives insufficient attention to collective rights and minority protections.

Supporters See a Starting Point

Some Alberta independence supporters have welcomed the discussion paper as a useful starting point for a broader debate.

Cory Morgan, founder of the pro independence advertising group Pathway to Independence, described the proposal as a reasonably strong draft from a republican perspective.

He highlighted its emphasis on individual rights and government checks and balances, while acknowledging that the document may be overly detailed for an initial discussion paper.

Morgan said having a comprehensive document could provide a basis for further discussion and allow supporters to identify areas that require changes.

The Alberta Prosperity Project has encouraged Albertans to examine the proposals and provide suggestions.

The group says the document is intended to generate discussion rather than establish a finalized constitutional framework.

Other Separatists Urge Caution

Not all members of the Alberta independence movement agree with the timing or content of the proposal.

Keith Wilson, co leader of the registered third party advertiser Let Alberta Decide, said he does not support the particular proposal and believes it is too early to begin developing a new constitution.

Wilson argued that Albertans should first decide whether they actually want independence through a referendum before attempting to establish a new constitutional system.

That position reflects divisions within Alberta’s separatist movement, which includes multiple organizations with different ideas about how independence should be pursued and what an independent Alberta should look like.

Federalist Groups Criticize Proposal

The discussion paper has faced strong criticism from groups supporting Alberta remaining part of Canada.

Thomas Lukaszuk, leader of the Forever Canadian movement and a former Alberta deputy premier, sharply criticized the proposed system.

Lukaszuk described the vision as an extreme experiment, arguing that the document places too much emphasis on individual rights at the expense of broader societal interests.

He also raised concerns about minority rights and said certain communities, including Alberta’s Francophone population, receive insufficient recognition in the proposed framework.

The criticism reflects a broader argument from federalists that independence would create enormous economic, legal and social challenges for Alberta.

Questions Over Alberta’s Finances

Economists have also questioned the financial assumptions surrounding independence.

Trevor Tombe, an economics professor at the University of Calgary and a member of the federalist organization Lead Not Leave, examined the taxation proposals and the potential consequences of Alberta separating from Canada.

He argued that an independent Alberta would face a significant reduction in government revenue because federal transfers and certain existing sources of funding would disappear.

The financial debate is particularly important because Alberta currently operates within a broader Canadian fiscal system that includes federal taxation, transfers, pensions, national programs and other shared institutions.

Separating from Canada would require Alberta to establish and finance many functions that are currently handled at the federal level.

Those could include areas such as national security, border management, foreign relations, currency arrangements and other federal responsibilities.

Supporters of independence argue that Alberta’s natural resources and economic strength could provide the foundation for a successful independent state.

Critics counter that economic strength alone would not eliminate the costs associated with establishing a new country and replacing existing Canadian institutions.

Debate Intensifies Ahead of Referendum

The release of the “Foundation of Freedom” paper comes as Alberta’s independence debate continues to attract growing political attention.

The question of whether Alberta should remain part of Canada or pursue independence has become increasingly prominent, with supporters and opponents preparing campaigns around the possibility of a future referendum.

For the Alberta Prosperity Project, the new document is intended to give supporters something concrete to debate rather than simply discussing independence in general terms.

For opponents, however, the proposals provide an opportunity to highlight what they see as the potential risks of separation.

The debate is likely to intensify as Albertans consider not only whether Alberta could become independent but also what kind of country it would become.

The proposed constitution offers one possible answer, with a presidential government, elected judges, an elected senate, stronger firearm rights, lower proposed taxes and a greater emphasis on individual liberty.

But the document remains a discussion paper rather than a settled plan.

Ultimately, any decision on Alberta’s future would involve questions far beyond the structure of government. Issues surrounding the economy, taxation, public services, trade, Indigenous rights, international recognition, citizenship and Canada’s existing constitutional framework would all have to be addressed.

As Alberta’s separatist movement continues to develop its campaign, the “Foundation of Freedom” paper is likely to become part of a much larger debate over what independence would actually mean for the province’s approximately five million residents.

Courtesy: CBC